Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) Known for her roles in films like “Kasoor”, “Bollywood/Hollywood”, and “Water”, actress Lisa Ray recently reflected on a pivotal moment in her life when she chose to leave mainstream cinema in India during the peak of her career in 2001. She expressed that this decision allowed her to rediscover depth, meaning, and her true self.

Lisa shared her thoughts on Instagram, posting a reel that showcased various scenes from her films, accompanied by the acoustic rendition of “Girls Like You”.

“In 2001, I stepped away from fame in India. Not due to a lack of opportunities — there were plenty. I had a string of successful films behind me, numerous offers in front of me, and a clear perception of how I was viewed: model, too pretty, not gritty enough. My voice. My personality. Flattened.”

After her departure, Lisa states she “opted for the long path.”

“I relocated to London to study acting in ways that resonated with me. I resided at Balliol College, Oxford, delving into Shakespeare and poetry. I explored the V&A Museum, and engaged with Buddhism and yoga (the irony isn’t lost on me; I only discovered yoga after leaving Bombay). I cultivated a life grounded in learning, spirit, and curiosity — not visibility,” she added.

After this break, she returned to cinema through independent films, often produced on limited budgets but fueled by faith and optimism rather than commercial gain.

“It was after that pause, that deepening, that I ventured into indie films. Shoestring budgets, immense faith. Films driven by optimism, not commerce. Many of them are now difficult to locate — which is perfectly fine, perhaps even a blessing!”

Lisa embraced every role as a journey of self-discovery, distancing herself from the pressures she faced in the Indian film industry.

“The roles varied from whimsical to Oscar-worthy, and I relished every experiment with self, liberated from the pressures imposed by the industry in India,” she noted in her caption.

Reflecting on past photographs from that era, Lisa remarked that while they remind her of her former appearance, her focus was never on looks. For her, the true work was about cultivating depth, gaining meaning, and shedding the burden of external perceptions.

“Those images remind me of how beautiful I once was. Yet, beauty was never the aim. The work was about fostering depth, achieving meaning, shedding the skin of projection, and returning to self. I’m thankful for the journey that revealed who I am when the gaze fades away. Time didn’t erase me; it unveiled me,” Lisa concluded.

Lisa kickstarted her modeling career in India during the early 1990s and made her acting debut in 1994 with the film Hanste Khelte. Throughout her career, she has displayed a tendency for socially relevant portrayals, particularly in the 2005 Oscar-nominated Canadian film Water and the acclaimed South African feature The World Unseen. In 2009, Lisa was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

The 53-year-old actress was recently featured in 99 Songs, directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, alongside debutants Ehan Bhat and Edilsy Vargas, as well as Aditya Seal and Manisha Koirala. The film narrates a sensual story about the journey and self-discovery of a struggling singer aiming to become a successful music composer.